Be like the skaters in Venice Beach... just roll with it
Last week every single person I spoke with shared that they weren't doing well in some area of their lives. It wasn't just one or two it was dozens. So, my charge to you this week is to pull every ounce of kindness that you can out of your heart and soul.
Be kind...
To yourself.
Your partner.
Your colleagues.
To your text chain.
The people driving like maniacs.
The people losing it in the grocery store.
Teachers.
Healthcare workers.
Poll workers.
Just everyone.
There are going to be people who push one or more of your buttons. Try to find the compassion that you would feel on a normal day (none of this is normal, btw) and just not push back. Don't respond to the snarky email. Don't text back some gruff answer. Reel it all in.
This might mean that you need to take 5 minutes in your car after work to just sit in the driveway and let go of all the weirdness in the world. It might mean that you need more chocolate. It might mean that you can't have that conversation with your Aunt that drives you crazy this week. That is ok. Do what you need to do to find a little peace of mind. And for the love of all things holy do not get into it with someone on Facebook - you aren't going to change hearts and minds there and you'll just add to the volumes of discontent.
As we roll into the elections next week the stress and tensions are just getting higher and pandemic fatigue is a real thing. Understanding that we have reached maximum capacity for stress is helpful. Don't add to your own stress or someone else's. Not this week. Let's just try to roll through this week like a skater in Venice California... just riding a wave of kindness, dude... just riding a wave.
If you can't conjure that, find your own inner easy going gal/guy and be that person and if you are really not doing well... talk to someone. It is ok to ask for help. We do not have to do this alone or figure out why we are so stressed out and acting our not best self. Most therapists are doing telemedicine or you can try one of those totally online versions of therapy like BetterHelp. (Not an ad, just an advocate for having an outside person to talk through things.)
I'm entirely grateful that you allow me in your inbox every week. I'm here cheering you and us on to do good work... and sometimes that good work is as small as being kind.
Until next week -
#DoGoodWork
Jackie Wolven
You can take a peek into what I'm up to on Instagram in the stories or over on LinkedIn.